Combination sill and threshold



Nov. 8, 1955 w. w. MILLER COMBINATION SILL AND THRESHOLD Filed Dec. 6, 1.952

INVENTOR.

WALLACE W. MILLER.

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AGENTS.

United States Patent COMBINATION SILL AND THRESHOLD Wallace Walter Miller, El Cajon, Calif.

Application December 6, 1952, Serial No. 324,462 1 Claim. 01.2044

The present invention relates generally to preformed building structural elements, and more particularly to a combination door sill and threshold for use in the doorways of buildings.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a device of unitary fabrication combining the features of a door sill and threshold which is particularly rugged while light in weight.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination sill and threshold which can be used with various kinds of floors and which is adaptable to existing or new buildings.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination sill and threshold which can be manufactured in materials and colors to match ornamentations of surrounding structure.

Another object of this inevntion is to provide a combination sill and threshold which is weather-proof in itself and will prevent the infiltration of dampness into a building.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination sill and threshold having simple means for securement in a doorway, so as to facilitate installation or removal by unskilled labor.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination sill and threshold having a safety non-slip tread surface.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination sill and threshold having a highly satisfactory drip edge to assure that moisture from the sill will drip harmlessly from the drip edge and seepage toward the floor is prevented.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination still threshold incorporating an air space beneath to assist in the drying out of ground moisture.

Another object of this invention, ancillary to the preceding objects, is to teach the best known mode of implementing the principles of the invention in carrying the invention into actual practice.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination sill and threshold which is adapted for fabrication from many dilferent materials, so that the choice of material can be according to the dictates of availability and price considerations, the exact sizes and proportions being matters easily determined to suit particular conditions and needs.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination sill and threshold which is inexpensive and practicable to manufacture.

Finally, it is an object to provide a preformed building element of the aforementioned character which is simple, safe and convenient to operate, and which will give generally efiicient and durable service.

With these and other objects definitely in view, this invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of elements and portions, as will be hereinafter fully described in the specification, particularly pointed out in the claim, and illustrated in the Patented Nov. 8, 1955 ice.

drawing which forms a material part of this disclosure and wherein similar characters of reference indicate similar or identical elements and portions throughout the specification and throughouttheviews of the drawing, and in which:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of the device showing its position of installation relative to other elements of a doorway.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational' view of the device.

Reference being had to the drawing, it will be evident that the device can be fabricated from a single sheet of material, comprising the sill, portion which is generally indicated at 10, and the threshold portion 12. The device can be fabricated by several alternative methods from metals such as steel, brass, copper alloys or aluminum, or from suitable non-metallic materials. The sill 10 is inclined and its lower end extends outwardly beyond the vertical face 14 of the floor, which is commonly a concrete slab 16. The extended portion of the sill 10 is bent downward forming the vertical face 18 and continued as the channel 20, approximately U-shaped in cross-section, said channel having an inclined bottom panel 22 and a vertical flange 24 which normally abuts against the face 14 of the slab 16. The upper surface of the sill 10 is longitudinally serrated or knurled, or otherwise provided with a roughened tread surface 26 to prevent foot slippage. The threshold portion 12 extends from the upper extremity of the sill 10 and includes the riser element 28, the horizontal step 30 and the edge portion of triangular cross-section 32 formed as the continuation of said step.

The device is supported on the concrete slab 16 by the under surface of the sill 10 as indicated at 34 and by the returned portion or base 36 of the edge portion 32, said device fitting snugly between the door jambs 38 at either side of a normal doorway.

The vertical surface 18 and the step 30 are provided with a plurality of holes 40, through which are inserted the screws 42, said screws being secured in the lead inserts 44 positioned in the slab 16. The flange 46, forming one side of the channel 32, is inclined slightly from the vertical to provide a support pillar engaging the inner side of the knee portion between the step 30 and the sloping extension 48 of said step. This support pillar extends the full length of the threshold. The numerals 54 and 56 denote the screen door and the main door. These doors are of a conventional character and are disposed above the sill 10 and the threshold 12, respectively.

The conventional method of preparing concrete slabs such as that indicated at 16 in the drawing involves the screeding of the wet mixture. This operation tends to compress the mixture more in the vicinity of the edges of the slab than in any other region of said slab and in the subsequent drying out process said edges are consequently subject to less shrinkage than the remainder of the slab, resulting in a slight but definite depression as indicated at 50. Such a depression retains any water allowed to reach the slab 16. When my invention is applied to a doorway, however, no moisture is allowed access to the upper surface of the slab 16 due to the snug fitting of the flange 24 and the contact made with the slab at 34.

Although my invention has been heretofore described as being applicable to a concrete slab. it is equally suitable for use on floors of other materials. In addition, my invention could be manufactured from materials or in style to harmonize with the character of the doors used.

The operation of this invention will be clearly comprehended from a consideration of the foregoing description of the mechanical details thereof, taken in connection with the drawing and the above recited objects.

It will be obvious that all said objects are amply achieved by this invention.

Further description would appear to be unnecessary.

It is understood that minor variation from the form of the invention disclosed herein may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the specification and drawing are to be considered as merely illustrative rather than limiting.

I claim:

A preformed unitary building element comprising a substantially rectangular single sheet including a plate constituting a sill, a raised threshold portion integral l with and extending along one side of the sill, a returned edge portion at the side of said raised threshold portion remote from said sill, said returned edge portion having a flange extending upwardly into contact with the underside of said raised threshold portion and comprising a support pillar therefor, said sill including a channelshaped portion at the edge of the sill remote from said threshold portion, said sill being inclined downwardly from said threshold, said channel-shaped portion having a bottom panel similarly inclined and constituting a drip edge for the sill, said panel terminating in a floor slab engaging flange, said channel-shaped portion being slightly resilient and including a substantially vertical portion extending between said sill and said bottom panel, and slab-engaging fastening means engaging said vertical portion whereby said flange is constantly biased into slabengaging position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,207,827 Winters Dec. 12, 1916 

